U.S. patent number 6,804,080 [Application Number 08/922,581] was granted by the patent office on 2004-10-12 for media carousel changer for data systems.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Segway Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to Scott A. Dye, Stephan E. Gavit, Robert E. Leonard.
United States Patent |
6,804,080 |
Gavit , et al. |
October 12, 2004 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Media carousel changer for data systems
Abstract
A media carousel changer is adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes to mount them in and demount them from a docking station
on a recorder/reader such that data can be accessed. The changer
includes a rotatable turntable on a support frame. Cassette holders
for the cassettes are located at the periphery of the turntable and
are pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position. A plunger arm is linearly movable between an advanced
position to pivot a registered one of the cassette holders to the
extended position to move the cassette into a docked state on the
docking station and a withdrawn position to permit the cassette
holder to pivot into the retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette. A rotary drive rotates the turntable to select the
desired cassette.
Inventors: |
Gavit; Stephan E. (Lakewood,
CO), Dye; Scott A. (Morrison, CO), Leonard; Robert E.
(Denver, CO) |
Assignee: |
Segway Systems, LLC (Littleton,
CO)
|
Family
ID: |
33098605 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/922,581 |
Filed: |
September 3, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/92.1;
G9B/15.147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
15/686 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
15/68 (20060101); G11B 015/68 () |
Field of
Search: |
;369/37,35,30.7
;360/92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Davis; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Martin; Timothy J. Henson; Michael
R. Gegick; Rebecca A.
Claims
We claim:
1. A data retrieval system operative to retrieve data recorded on a
recording medium carried by a cassette, comprising: (a) a support
frame; (b) a recorder/reader having a docking station adapted to
matably receive a cassette, said recorder/reader including a
transducer operative to read data from the recording medium and a
drive system operative to advance the recording medium whereby data
thereon is readable by said transducer; (c) a turntable mounted on
said support frame and journaled for rotation about a turntable
axis; (d) a plurality of cassette holders disposed about a
periphery of said turntable, each said cassette holder adapted to
receive a respective cassette holder adapted to receive a
respective cassette containing the recording medium and being
pivotally mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette
holder is selectably pivotable between an extended position and a
retracted position; (e) a rotary drive operative to rotate said
turntable thereby to consecutively move each of said holders into
registration with said docking station; and (f) an actuator
linearly movable radially of said turntable axis between an
advanced position and a withdrawn position, said actuator when
advanced operative to pivot a registered one of said cassette
holders into the extended position thereby to move the cassette
received therein into a docked state in the docking station and to
mount onto said recorder/reader and when withdrawn operative to
permit said registered one of said cassette holders to pivot into
the retracted position thereby to demount the cassette received
therein from the reader and move the cassette from the docking
station and into a stored state.
2. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder adapted to receive a respective cassette containing
a recording medium and being pivotally mounted to said turntable
such that each said cassette holder is selectively pivotable
between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein
each of said cassette holders includes a catch; (d) a rotary drive
operative to rotate said turntable thereby to consecutively move
each of said cassette holders into registration with said docking
station; and (e) an actuator movable between a first advanced
position and a withdrawn position, said actuator operative when
advanced to pivot a registered one of said cassette holders into
the extended position thereby to move the cassette received therein
into the docking station and into a docked state with respect to
said recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn to engage said
catch whereby said actuator physically moves the registered one of
said cassette holders from the extend ed position and its
respective cassette out of the docked state.
3. A media carousel adapted to receive a plurality of cassettes
containing a recording medium and operative to mount said cassettes
into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to demount the
cassettes therefrom, comprising; (a) a support frame; (b) a
turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for rotation
about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette holders
disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said cassette
holder for receiving a respective cassette containing a recording
medium and being pivotally mounted to said turntable such that each
said cassette holder is selectively pivotable between an extended
position and a retracted position; (d) a rotary drive operative to
rotate said turntable t hereby to consecutively move each of said
cassette holders into registration with said docking station; and
(e) an actuator including a plunger arm, said plunger arm operative
to move linearly in a plunger arm plane wherein no portion of said
turntable is intersected by the plunger arm plane, said plunge r
arm move able between a first advanced position and a withdrawn
position and operative when advanced to pivot a registered one of
said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state.
4. A media carousel changer according to claim 3 wherein said
turntable is oriented in a turntable plane and said plunger arm
plane is parallel to said turntable.
5. A media carousel changer according to claim 3 wherein said
turntable is oriented in a turntable plane and said plunger arm
plane is orthogonal to said turntable plane.
6. A media carousel changer according to claim 3 wherein each of
said cassette holders is oriented parallel to the turntable axis
when in the stored position.
7. A media carousel changer according to claim 3 wherein each of
said cassette holders is oriented perpendicular to the turntable
axis when in the stored position.
8. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising; (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective cassette containing a
recording medium and being pivotally mounted to said turntable such
that each said cassette holder is selectively pivotable between an
extended position and a retracted position; (d) a rotary drive
operative to rotate said turntable thereby to consecutively move
each of said cassette holders into registration with said docking
station; and (e) a plunger arm linearly moveable between a first
advanced position and a withdrawn position, said plunger arm
operative when advanced to pivot a registered one of said cassette
holders into the extended position thereby to move the cassette
received therein into the docking station and into a docked state
with respect to said recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn
to permit said registered one of said cassette holders to pivot
into a retracted position thereby to demount the cassette received
therein from the recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a
stored state wherein said plunger arm includes a roller assembly
rotatably disposed on a first free end of said plunger arm, said
roller assembly operative to engage said registered one of said
cassette holders as said plunger arm is moved into the extended
state thereby to move the cassette received therein into the
docking station.
9. A media carousel changer according to claim 8 wherein each of
said cassette holders includes a ramp structure, said roller
assembly attacking said ramp structure when said plunger arm moves
toward the first advanced position, contact of said roller assembly
with said ramp structure operative to positively urge said
registered one of said cassette holders into the extended position
whereby the cassette received therein is positively urged into the
docked state in said recorder/reader.
10. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position, each of said cassette holders includes a resilient latch
member positioned to retain a respective cassette received therein;
(d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable thereby to
consecutively move each of said cassette holders into registration
with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm linearly movable
between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position, said
plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a registered one of
said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state.
11. A media carousel changer according to claim 10 wherein said
cassettes each have a leader block secured to the recording medium
thereof and a detent structure which releasably holds said leader
block in a fastened state with respect to said cassette, said latch
member sized and positioned to positively urge said leader block
into the fastened state.
12. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; (e) a plunger arm linearly
movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position,
said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a registered one
of said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state; and (f) a reversible actuator
motor having a gear drive that mechanically advances and withdraws
said plunger arm.
13. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a dock ing station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
turntable such that each said cassette holder is selectively
pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position;
(d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable thereby to
consecutively move each of said cassette holders into registration
with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm is linearly
movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position,
said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a registered one
of said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state, and wherein said plunger arm is
reciprocal between the first advanced position and a second
advanced position, said plunger arm when in the second advanced
position operative to move another one of said cassette holders and
its respective cassette into an intermediate position between the
extended an d retracted positions.
14. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; (e) a plunger arm linearly
movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position,
said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a registered one
of said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state; and (f) a second plunger arm
acting oppositely to said first plunger arm, said first plunger arm
operative to reciprocate between the first advanced position and
the withdrawn position and said second plunger arm operative to
reciprocate between a second advanced position and a second
withdrawn position, said first and second plunger arms linked such
that, when said first plunger arm moves into the first advanced
position, said second plunger arm moves to the second advanced
position to move another one of said cassette holders into an
intermediate position between the extended and retracted position,
and a driver operative to selectively reciprocate said first and
second plunger arms.
15. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm
linearly movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn
position, said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a
registered one of said cassette holders into the extended position
thereby to move the cassette received therein into the docking
station and into a docked state with respect to said
recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn to permit said
registered one of said cassette holders to pivot into a retracted
position thereby to demount the cassette received therein from the
recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a stored state, and
wherein the respective cassette in said registered one of said
cassette holders is in a first plane when in the docked state, said
turntable being in a turntable plane that is substantially parallel
to said first plane.
16. A media carousel changer according to claim 15 wherein each of
said cassette holders is oriented in an upright relation to said
turntable when in the stored position.
17. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm
linearly movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn
position, said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a
registered one of said cassette holders into the extended position
thereby to move the cassette received therein into the docking
station and into a docked state with respect to said
recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn to permit said
registered one of said cassette holders to pivot into a retracted
position thereby to demount the cassette received therein from the
recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a stored state, and
wherein the respective cassette in said registered one of said
cassette holders is in a first plane when in the docked relation,
said turntable being in a turntable plane that is substantially
perpendicular to said first plane.
18. A media carousel changer according to claim 17 wherein each of
said cassette holders is oriented in the turntable plane when in
the stored position.
19. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; (e) a plunger arm linearly
movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position,
said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a registered one
of said cassette holders into the extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to said recorder/reader and operative
when withdrawn to permit said registered one of said cassette
holders to pivot into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that said
cassette moves to a stored state; and (f) a rotary position sensor
operative to detect rotational positioning of said turntable.
20. A media carousel changer according to claim 19 wherein said
rotary drive includes a plurality of guide wheels operative to
support said turntable, a drive belt extending around an outer
peripheral edge of said turntable and a motor operative to drive
said drive belt.
21. A media carousel changer according to claim 20 wherein said
drive belt is a toothed belt, said peripheral edge of said
turntable provided with teeth operative to engage said drive
belt.
22. A media carousel changer according to claim 20 wherein at least
one of said guide wheels is adjustable in location.
23. A media carousel changer according to claim 19 wherein said
rotary drive includes a rotatable shaft to which said turntable is
fixed, said rotary position sensor including a shaft encoder for
monitoring rotational positioning of said shaft.
24. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm
linearly movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn
position, said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a
registered one of said cassette holders into the extended position
thereby to move the cassette received therein into the docking
station and into a docked state with respect to said
recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn to permit said
registered one of said cassette holders to pivot into a retracted
position thereby to demount the cassette received therein from the
recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a stored state; and
(f) an actuator position sensor operative to detect at least one of
the advanced and retracted positions of said plunger arm.
25. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders disposed about a periphery of said turntable, each said
cassette holder for receiving a respective one of the plurality of
cassettes containing the recording medium and being pivotally
mounted to said turntable such that each said cassette holder is
selectively pivotable between an extended position and a retracted
position; (d) a rotary drive operative to rotate said turntable
thereby to consecutively move each of said cassette holders into
registration with said docking station; and (e) a plunger arm
linearly movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn
position, said plunger arm operative when advanced to pivot a
registered one of said cassette holders into the extended position
thereby to move the cassette received therein into the docking
station and into a docked state with respect to said
recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn to permit said
registered one of said cassette holders to pivot into a retracted
position thereby to demount the cassette received therein from the
recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a stored state, and
wherein said plunger arm is resiliently biased to apply a resilient
force acting to bias the registered one of said cassette holders
orthogonally into the docking station.
26. A media carousel changer according to claim 25 wherein said
plunger arm is pivotally mounted with respect to said support frame
and including a biasing spring disposed to pivot said plunger
arm.
27. A media carousel changer adapted to receive a plurality of
cassettes containing a recording medium and operative to mount said
cassettes into a docking station on a recorder/reader and to
demount the cassettes therefrom, comprising: (a) a support frame;
(b) a turntable disposed on said support frame and journaled for
rotation about a turntable axis; (c) a plurality of cassette
holders each including a catch and disposed about a periphery of
said turntable, each said cassette holder for receiving a
respective one of the plurality of cassettes containing the
recording medium and being pivotally mounted to said turntable such
that each said cassette holder is selectively pivotable between an
extended position and a retracted position; (d) a rotary drive
operative to rotate said turntable thereby to consecutively move
each of said cassette holders into registration with said docking
station; and (e) a plunger arm linearly movable between a first
advanced position and a withdrawn position, said plunger arm
operative when advanced to pivot a registered one of said cassette
holders into the extended position thereby to move the cassette
received therein into the docking station and into a docked state
with respect to said recorder/reader and operative when withdrawn
to permit said registered one of said cassette holders to pivot
into a retracted position thereby to demount the cassette received
therein from the recorder/reader so that said cassette moves to a
stored state, said plunger arm adapted to engage the catch
associated with the registered one of said cassette holders as said
plunger arm moves from the first advanced position to the withdrawn
position so that the plunger arm physically moves the registered
one of said cassette holders from the extended position and its
respective cassette out of the docked state.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention broadly relates to data systems wherein
information is stored on a recording medium, such as magnetic tape
and the like. More particularly, however, the present invention is
directed to a media carousel changer which can automatically and
selectively mount cassettes containing the recording medium and
data onto a recorder/reader. This invention specifically concerns a
media carousel changer that makes available a plurality of data
containing cassettes which can rapidly and efficiently be input
into a computer system. The invention also includes automated
processes for mounting, reading and demounting media cassettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The advent of the information age has seen an exponential growth in
the accumulation and storage of data both for on-line usage as well
as for archival purposes. In the early days of the computer, before
the advent of magnetic disk and optical storage assemblies, data
was typically stored on magnetic tapes, such as reel-to-reel tapes
and later, cassette tapes. In a magnetic tape storage device, a
magnetic coil is used as a transducer to imprint data magnetically
on a moving band of magnetic film; thereafter, when the film is
advanced across the transducer, the data may be read and re-input
into the processor.
Magnetic tape systems have the advantage in that they are
relatively low cost. Moreover, magnetic tape can be erased and
rewritten many times Nonetheless, other tape storage media have
been developed or are possible. For example, optical tapes and
laser tapes may be employed in an effort to increase the density of
data stored on the medium.
Nonetheless, because of the low cost, magnetic tape is still a
highly desirable format for archiving data where the ability to
rapidly access the data is less significant and where capital cost
is of concern. Once a magnetic tape has been loaded onto a
recorder/reader, the accessibility of the data on the magnetic tape
is a function of two variables, the density of storage and the
speed at which the tape medium may be transported across and
accurately read by the transducer. In the overall archiving of
data, though, the speed at which the magnetic tape is physically
mounted onto and de-mounted from the recorder/reader has great
significance. Since manual loading of the tape onto the
recorder/reader can be very time consuming, there has been a need
for automated library systems for magnetic tapes, either in the
form of reels or cassettes.
There are certain difficulties, however, that confront efforts to
automate a library of data storage media. On one hand, it is
necessary that the cassette or reel be accurately docked by
registering and mounting it into the recorder/reader unit.
Otherwise, the data on the magnetic tape may not be read, on one
hand or, on the other hand, costly damage to the tape media or to
the recorder/reader unit may occur.
Once docked, it is necessary that the recording medium be properly
threaded through the recorder/reader and, upon completion of the
processing, that the recording medium be properly restored into the
cassette or onto the tape reel. After completion of this task, it
is still necessary to efficiently demount the reel or cassette from
the recorder/reader. This sometimes poses difficulties since many
recorder/readers include magnetic retainers that help seat a
ferromagnetic plate of the cassette or reel for proper mounting. It
has proved difficult in the past for automated systems to
mechanically break this magnetic coupling when demounting the
storage media.
Existing automated systems employ an elevator assembly to mount and
demount a cassette into the docking station of a reader. A cassette
is advanced in a first translational direction into a region
immediately above the docking station but below the threading arm.
The elevator assembly then lowers the cassette in a second
translational direction into the docking station and the magnetic
retainers. As this occurs, the leader block of the cassette is
lowered onto and engages an enlargement on the end of the threading
arm. To demount the cassette, this procedure is reversed. However,
since the elevator assembly raises the cassette in a direction
orthogonal to the docking station, substantial force rust be used
to break the magnetic coupling between the magnetic retainers of
the docking station and the ferromagnetic plates on the
cassette.
Accordingly, there remains a need for automated library systems
which can access a plurality of modules which store a recording
medium so as to mount and demount those modules into a
recorder/reader. Such systems need to be capable of accurately
docking the recording medium module with the docking station of a
recorder/reader and to properly mount the module therein. Such
systems must also be able to efficiently demount the module from
the recorder/reader and return it to a stored position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
useful media carousel changer which is adapted to receive a
plurality of modules which contain a recording medium so as to
mount and demount those modules into the docking station of a
recorder/reader.
Another object of the present invention concerns a method for
automated mounting, reading and demounting such modules or
"cassettes".
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
relatively compact data library system in the form of a carousel
that can receive a large quantity of stored data that can be easily
accessed by a computer processing system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carousel
changer for recording media wherein modules containing data may be
removed from the storage system while another module is being
accessed by the recorder/reader.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
carousel library system for recording media that is relatively cost
effective while at the same time being reliable and efficient.
In order to accomplish these objects, then, a data retrieval system
has a carousel changer adapted to receive modules for a recording
medium with this carousel changer being operative to mount and
demount those modules into the docking station of a
recorder/reader. Here, for sake of description, such modules will
be referred to as "cassettes" which is intended to cover any type
of module which receives a recording medium for transport and
storage.
The media carousel changer according to the present invention,
then, broadly includes a support frame on which a turntable is
disposed. The turntable is journaled for rotation about a turntable
axis, and a plurality of cassette holders are disposed about a
periphery of the turntable. Each cassette holder is adapted to
receive a respective cassette containing the recording medium. Each
cassette holder is further pivotally mounted to the turntable such
that each cassette holder is selectively pivotable between an
extended position to move its cassette into a docked state and a
retracted position to move the cassette into a stored state.
A rotary drive operates to rotate the turntable to consecutively
move each of the holders into registration with the docking station
of the recorder/reader. An actuator is provided with this actuator
movable between a first advanced position and a withdrawn position.
When the actuator is advanced into the first advanced position, it
operates to pivot a registered one of the cassette holders into the
extended position thereby to move the cassette received therein
into the docking station and to dock it with the recorder/reader.
When the actuator is moved to the withdrawn position, it permits
the registered cassette holder to pivot into the retracted position
thereby to demount the cassette received therein from the
recorder/reader and withdraw it from the docking station to the
stored state.
Preferably, the cassette holders each include a catch operative to
engage the actuator as it retracts so that the actuator physically
moves the registered cassette holder from the docked relation and
out of the docking station. Each of the cassette holders may also
include a spring element that is operative to bias the cassette
holder into the stored state. Preferably, the actuator includes a
plunger arm that is operative to reciprocate between the first
advanced position and the withdrawn position and a driver operative
to selectively reciprocate the plunger arm. A roller is rotatably
disposed on a free end of the plunger arm with the roller assembly
operative to engage the registered one of the cassette holders.
Here, each of the cassette holders may include a ramp structure
with the roller assembly attacking the ramp structure when the
plunger arm moves towards the extended state. Contact of the roller
assembly with the ramp structure therefore is operative to
positively urge the registered one of the cassette holders into the
docking station. Upon withdrawal, the roller assembly engages a
flange on the cassette holder so that mechanical force is supplied
by the actuator with this force tending to demount the
cassette.
Each of the cassette holders may also include a resilient latch
member which is positioned to retain a respective cassette therein.
The cassettes have a leader block which is secured to the recording
medium thereof and a detent structure which releaseably holds the
leader member in a fastened state with respect to the cassette.
Here, the latch member is also sized and positioned not only to
retain the cassette in the cassette holder but also to bias the
leader member into the fastened state.
The invention also includes the methods implemented by the above
described apparatus. The method includes the step of placing
cassettes in individual cassette holders and advancing the cassette
holders past the docking station of a recorder/reader so that they
sequentially come into registration therewith. A selected
registered cassette holder and cassette is pivoted, preferably
through a 90.degree. arc, into the docking station, and the
cassette is read. Thereafter, the cassette holder and cassette is
pivoted out of the docking station. The pathway is preferably a
closed-loop, such as circular. Another cassette holder that is not
registered may be pivoted to an intermediate load/unload position
so that a cassette may be replaced, for example, while a registered
and docked cassette is being read.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more
readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when
taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the
data retrieval system of the present invention including a
recorder/reader and a media carousel changer with a first cassette
in a docked position;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the data retrieval system of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a partial side view in cross-section showing the media
carousel changer of the data retrieval system of FIGS. 1 and 2 with
a second cassette in an intermediate load/unload position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a front side of a cassette
holder used in the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing the cassette holder of
FIG. 4 mounted on the turntable and receiving a respective cassette
therein;
FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation, partially broken-away, showing
a registered cassette holder in a retracted position with its
respective cassette in a stored state and with the actuator arm at
the beginning of the mounting/demounting cycle;
FIG. 7 is a side view in elevation, similar to FIG. 6, but showing
the actuator arm moving onto the cassette holder to urge it into
the extended position so that its respective cassette is in a
docked state;
FIG. 8 is a side view in elevation, partially broken-away, showing
the initial demounting of a cassette in a cassette holder from the
docked state according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of the actuator of the
present invention which is shown in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) are front views in elevation of a
portion of a cassette showing the detent structure and the
interaction of the latching structure of the present invention with
a leader member thereof;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the data retrieval system
and cassette library apparatus according to the present
invention;
FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) are cross-section diagrams of the carousel
changer of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of
the actuator shown, with the cassettes in position for rotational
advancement (FIG. 12(a)) and with two opposite cassettes
respectively in a docked position and an intermediate load/unload
position (FIG. 12(b));
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator of FIGS. 12(a)
and 12(b) taken about lines 13--13 of FIG. 12(a);
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of
the data retrieval system of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a side view in elevation showing the data retrieval
system of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 16--16 of FIG.
14;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the motor drive and carousel
of the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a top plan view showing the carousel of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present
invention showing the turntable oriented perpendicularly to the
docking plane of a docked and mounted cassette according to the
present invention;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the turntable and cassette holders
according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 21 is a side view in elevation showing a fourth alternative
embodiment of the present invention wherein a plurality of
turntables are disposed on a turret assembly; and
FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the cassette library apparatus and
turret structure shown in FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present invention broadly is directed to a data storage and
retrieval system that is operative to retrieve data stored on a
recording medium. While this invention is described in reference to
a magnetic tape recording medium, it should be understood that the
present invention contemplates the use of other tape-like storage
media, such as optical tapes, laser tapes and the like, within its
parameters. Further, the data storage apparatus of the present
invention is particularly directed to a media carousel changer that
is adapted to receive a plurality of cassettes containing a
recording medium. Here, the term "cassette" should be interpreted
to mean not only traditional cassettes, but any other module for
holding the recording medium, including reels, cartridges and the
like. The invention also is directed to methods implemented by the
apparatus.
Broadly, the data storage apparatus of the present invention
includes a support frame which supports a data recorder/reader that
is operative to receive a recording medium cassette so that the
recording medium may be transported across a transducer that reads
data from the recording medium. The invention also includes a media
carousel changer, as more thoroughly described below, that forms a
carousel library of cassettes available for rapid access by the
recorder/reader. It should be noted that the recorder/reader used
in conjunction with the media carousel changer of the present
invention is specially constructed to have a docking region that is
not enclosed. As noted in the background section of this
specification, standard docking stations employ an elevator
assembly. The threading arm is located on an opposite side of a
mounted cassette from the magnetic retainers. This structure is
typically enclosed in a housing. The elevator assembly inserts a
cassette into the housing and then moves the cassette orthogonally
onto the docking station. This requires two separate positioning
translations.
The preferred recorder/reader with which the present invention is
designed employs a threading arm that is underneath the mounted
cassette; that is, the threading arm is on the same side of the
cassette as the magnetic retainers. The threading arm has an
orthogonally projecting pin or roller that terminates in a free
end. This structure is not enclosed in a housing. Therefore, a
cassette can be smoothly pivoted between mounted and demounted
states. This avoids the bi-directional translation mechanism of an
elevator assembly.
It should further be understood that the media carousel changer of
the present invention is disposed on the support frame so that it
may rotate about a carousel axis. This carousel includes a
turntable that supports a plurality of cassette holders each of
which receives a respective cassette. A rotary drive rotates the
carousel to consecutively move each of the holders into
registration with the docking station on the recorder/reader, and
an actuator advances a retracts to pivotally mount and demount the
registered cassette holder in the recorder/reader.
With this background in mind, the data retrieval system and, in
particular, the media carousel changer according to the first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is best shown in
FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 1, data retrieval system 10 incudes a support
frame that, for example, has a base plate 12. This support frame
supports a cooling fan system 14 and a recorder/reader 18. A
carousel library system 16 is disposed on the support frame. While
references are made in this description to a recorder/reader 18, it
should also be appreciated that the same may be a recorder, a
reader or both, without departing from the scope of this
invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, it may be seen that the carousel
library system 16 includes a carousel 20 that is journaled for
rotation about a carousel axis "X". Carousel 20 includes a
turntable 22, a plurality of cassette holders 30 and suitable
mounts for the cassette holders 30 to pivotally mount cassette
holders 30 to turntable 22. Turntable 22 is in the form of an
annulus and is rotatably supported on base plate 12 by means of a
trilogy of guide wheels, as best shown in FIG. 2. A pair of guide
wheels 24 are rotatable on shafts 25 while a third guide wheel 26
is received in a slide bracket 27 that is positionable by a screw
adjuster 28. Movement of slide bracket 27 permits mounting, removal
and positional adjustment of turntable 22. When mounted, turntable
22 is supported in parallel spaced relation to base plate 12 and is
rotatable about carousel axis "X" by means of a motor 124 that has
a toothed gear 126. A toothed drive belt 128 extends around gear
126 and the outer peripheral edge 23 of turntable 22. To this end,
it should be understood that edge 23 of turntable 22 is toothed to
receive belt 128.
A plurality of cassette holders 30 are disposed about turntable 22
with each cassette holder 30 being adapted to receive a respective
cassette 31 that contains a recording medium. Such cassettes may be
of any type known in the art. To that end, the present invention is
particularly adapted, for example, to be used with 3480, 3490,
3490E and 3590E compatible cassette cartridges manufactured by the
3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn. As described more thoroughly
below, each cassette holder 30 is pivotally mounted to turntable 22
so that the cassette holder 30 may be selectively pivoted between
an extended position and a retracted position.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be seen that
recorder/reader 18 includes an open docking station 34 which
comprises a region that receives a cassette 31 while it is received
in its respective cassette holder 30 so that the recording medium
may be accessed. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a registered one of the cassette
holders 30' is in the extended position with its respective
cassette 31' in the docked position. Here, cassette 31' is oriented
to be accessed by recorder/reader 18. In FIG. 3, no cassette is in
the docking station 34. However, a cassette holder 30" and its
cassette 31" are in an intermediate "load/unload" position for
convenient loading and unloading of cassette 31" from the library
apparatus 20.
With reference especially to FIG. 2, it should be appreciated that
motor 124, by rotating turntable 22, is operative to rotate
turntable 22 so as to consecutively move each of cassette holders
30 into registration with docking station 34. As discussed more
thoroughly below with reference to FIG. 8, recorder/reader 18
includes a magnetic retainer 35 that helps keep and retain the
cassette 31 in the docked relation with the cassette 31 having a
ferromagnetic piece to couple with the magnetic retainer.
The structure and mounting of cassette holders 30 may best be seen
in reference to FIGS. 2-5. In FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be seen that
cassette holders 30 are disposed equiangularly around the periphery
of turntable 22. As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each cassette holder
30 defines a housing formed by a front wall 40, a pair of end walls
42, 44 and a bottom wall 46. A pair of inwardly turned lips 43 and
45 extend from end walls 42, 44, respectively, and are opposed to
one another in spaced relation to front wall 40. A pair of arms 47
(see also FIGS. 6-8) extend upwardly at the rear of bottom wall 46
to complete the cassette housing. Thus, the back of cassette holder
30 is open. As is shown in FIG. 5, cassette 31 is then received in
this housing structure. Arms 47 are angular to match the chamber on
a cassette 31. Thus, arms 47 prevent a cassette 31 from being
improperly installed in holder 30 since a cassette 31 will only
mate with a cassette holder 30 when properly oriented.
Cassette holder 30 is pivotally secured to turntable 22 by means of
an axle pin 50, as is best shown in FIG. 5. Axle pin 50 is received
by ears 52 that depend downwardly from bottom wall 46 and which
includes bores, such as bore 53. When inserted through ears 52,
axle pin 50 defines trunnions 54 that are pivotally received in
trunnion brackets 56 secured to turntable 22. Accordingly, as is
shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 6-8, each of cassette holders 30 may
pivot between an extended position, such as shown with respect to
the docked cassette holder 30 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 7 and 8, to a
retracted position shown in FIGS. 5 and 5. Spring element 58 is
employed to bias cassette holders 30 into the retracted
position.
With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6-8, it may be appreciated
that cassette holders 30 may be selectively moved between the
retracted position wherein the cassette holder 30 is upright with
respect to turntable 22 to an extended position wherein the
cassette 31 received therein may be in a docked relation with
respect to the recorder/reader 18. Also in reference to FIG. 3, it
may be seen that a cassette holder that is diametrically opposite
docking station 34 may be selectively moved to an intermediate
load/unload position wherein a cassette may be loaded into or
removed from carousel 20 of carousel library system 16.
In FIGS. 1-3, it may be seen that an actuator 60 is supported by
mounting block 162 to base plate 12 so that it is located in a
central region surrounded by the set of cassette holders 30 where
they are in the stored position. Preferably, mounting block 162 is
radially spaced from carousel axis "X" so as to be closer to
docking station 34. Actuator 60 is movable between a first advanced
position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 to an opposite second advanced
position shown in FIG. 3 through a withdrawn position.
The structure of actuator 60 is best shown in FIG. 9, but reference
may also be made to FIGS. 2 and 3 to show the structure and
operation thereof.
With reference then to these figures, it may be seen that actuator
60 includes mounting block 162 that has an elongated passageway 170
of circular cross-section extending therethrough. Plunger arm 164
is reciprocally disposed in passageway 170 by means of a pair of
bushings 172. A bore 174 also extends through mounting block 162
and intersects passageway 170. A motor driver 176 in the form of a
reversible motor then is mounted to mounting block 162 by means of
a plurality of screws 178 so that shaft 177 of driver 176 extends
into bore 174.
Shaft 177 supports a gear 182 that is positioned alongside
passageway 170. Gear 182 engages rack gear teeth 165 located along
one side of plunger arm 164.
An anti-rotation plug 180 is inserted through opening 181 and held
in position so that it abuts flat surface 167 on rack 164. Spring
washer 183 is sandwiched between motor 176 and anti-rotation plug
180 to apply force causing plug 180 to bear against flat surface
167. This minimizes rotational movement of rack 164 in passageway
170. As motor driver 176 is reversibly driven, plunger arm 164 may
be reciprocally driven between a first advance position (shown in
FIG. 2) and a second advance position (shown in FIG. 3) through a
withdrawn or intermediate position with little or no rotation.
Mounting block 162 is secured to base plate 12 by means of a
channel piece 130. Channel piece 130 includes a bottom wall 132
fastened in any convenient manner to base plate 12 and includes a
pair of parallel, spaced apart sidewalls 134 that are opposed to
one another to define a channel 131 therebetween. Each of sidewalls
134 has an opening 136 at one corner thereof with openings 136
being sized to receive a retaining pin 140 received through
bushings 138. Mounting block 162 fits within channel 131 and
includes a bore 163 through which retaining pin 140 is inserted.
Thus, mounting block 162 can pivot slightly within channel 131.
Bottom wall 132 of channel piece 130 has an opening 142 at an end
opposite openings 136 in sidewalls 134. When channel piece 130 is
fastened to base plate 12, opening 142 defines a seat for a biasing
spring 144. Biasing spring 144 tends to pivot mounting block 162
away from bottom wall 132 on an axis formed by retaining pin 140.
As described below, this structure, including biasing spring 144,
assists in docking a cassette 31.
As noted above, each opposite end of plunger arm 164 is provided
with a roller assembly 166. Each roller assembly 166 includes a
pair of plastic rollers 168 which are rotatably journaled on a
transverse axial pin 184 with bearings 186 and are held in position
on axial pin 184 by means of C-clips 188.
A position sensor 190 is also secured to mounting block 162 by
means of screws 192 which extend into holes 193 on mounting block
162. Position sensor 190 monitors the reciprocal positioning of
plunger arm 164 and is provided with electrical contacts 194 for
outputting this data.
Turning again to FIG. 6, it may be seen that each cassette holder
30 includes a ramp structure 70 having an inclined face 72 disposed
on front wall 40. Ramp structure 70 interacts with roller assembly
166 to help urge a registered one of the cassette holders into the
docking station 34 whereby the cassette 31 received in the
registered cassette holder 30 is positively urged into the docked
reletion with recorder/reader 18. Moreover, the contact of roller
assembly 166 with ramp structure 70 creates a force moment that
acts to pivot mounting block 162 on retaining pin 140 against the
restorative force of spring 144. Thus, spring 144 resiliently
biases the registered cassette holder orthogonally into the docking
station 34.
To more fully understand this operation, it should be appreciated
that turntable 22 is supported for rotation about axis "X" by guide
wheels 24, 26.
Rotational drive is provided by motor 24 and belt 128. Thus, motor
24 consecutively moves each of cassette holders 30 into
registration with the docking station 34. Registration occurs when
the cassette holder is in a position such that if it is pivotally
moved into the extended position, cassette 31 will move into a
docked state in docking station 34. Once a registered one of
cassette holders 30 is registered, actuator 60 may be operated to
move plunger arm 164 from the withdrawn position shown in FIG. 3 to
the advanced position shown in FIG. 2 thereby to move the cassette
31 of the registered one of the cassette holders 30 into the
docking station 34.
This operation may further be seen with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
In FIG. 6, it should be appreciated that roller assembly 166 moves
toward cassette holder 30 in the direction of arrow "B". Rollers
168 will engage front wall 40 at a location at the base of inclined
face 72. Further advancement of plunger arm 164 causes the cassette
holder 30 to pivot from the upright, stored position shown in FIG.
6, to the extended position shown in FIG. 7. As this happens,
roller assembly 166 rolls upwardly on inclined face 72 of ramp
structure 70 thereby applying pressure that urges cassette 31
positively into the docked relation with recorder/reader 18. This
action also pivots mounting block 162 against the restorative force
of spring 144.
Withdrawal of plunger arm 164, in the direction of arrow "C" in
FIG. 8, allows cassette holder 30 to pivot from the extended
position in docked relation to the stored relation due to the
biasing of spring element 58. However, as is also noted above,
docking station 34 is provided with a magnetic retainer 36. Thus,
spring element 58 is usually not sufficient alone to break the
magnetic bond between cassette 31 and magnetic retainer 36. Thus,
as is shown in FIG. 8, cassette holder 30 is provided with a flange
74 that extends from front wall 40 in a common direction as ramp
structure 70. Flange 74 has a cut-out 76 sized and adapted to
extend around plunger arm 164 as is shown in FIG. 8. Flange 74
defines a catch that is operative to engage actuator 60, and
specifically roller assembly 166, when the actuator 60
retracts.
Thus, as is shown in FIG. 8, when plunger arm 164 is retracted in
the direction of arrow "C", rollers 168 contact flange 74. When
this happens, continued mechanical retraction of plunger arm 164
physically and forcefully pivots cassette holder 30, independently
of spring element 58, to urge cassette holder 30 toward the stored
position and thus out of the docked relation with respect to
docking station 34. This mechanical action assists in breaking any
magnetic bond between magnetic retainer 36 and the associated
ferromagnetic piece, (such as the iron disk) on cassette 31. This
then demounts cassette 31 from the recorder/reader 18.
With reference now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 10(a)-10(c), further structure
of cassette holder 30 may be now appreciated. As is shown in these
figures, each cassette holder 30 is constructed of molded,
fiber-filled plastic and includes a resilient latch member 80
formed by an elongated blade portion 82 and a generally
triangularly shaped head 84 disposed at a distal end thereof. Blade
82 is secured, at its proximal end, to end wall 44 and may be
molded as an integral extension thereof. As described below, latch
member 80 is constructed to interact with a leader member secured
to the magnetic recording medium of cassette 31.
Specifically, in reference to FIGS. 10(a)-10(c), it may be seen
that cassette 31 includes a recording medium in the form of
magnetic tape 90 which is secured to a leader block 92. Leader
block 92 is provided so that an automatic threading arm 100 may be
employed to automatically thread tape 90 through recorder/reader
18. To this end, threading arm 100 is provided with a roller 102 at
a distal end thereof which engages leader block 92, as is shown in
FIGS. 10(a)-10(c). As is shown in these figures, leader block 92
includes a channel 93 that is sized and adapted to receive the
roller 102 on the end of threading arm 100. Thus, channel 93
defines a finger 94 at a free end of leader block 92. FIG. 10(c)
shows leader block 92 in a fastened state with respect to cassette
holder 31. Here, leader block 92 is substantially contained within
cassette holder 31 and is held in position by means of a prong 96
that resiliently engages finger 94 to define a detent that
releasably holds leader block 92 in the fastened state.
As threading arm 100 is operated, leader block 92 is initially
withdrawn out of cassette 31, as is shown in FIG. 10(a).
Thereafter, as is shown in FIG. 10(b), threading arm 100 moves to
advance leader block 92 and tape 90 across tape support 104. Tape
support 104 is preferably any suitable air bearing, such as that
described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 08/607,638, a
roller support or other tape support as known in the art.
When tape 90 is rewound, this process s reversed and leader block
92 moves toward the position shown in FIG. 10(c). However, in the
past, it has been found that leader block 92 does not always move
into the fully fastened state so that withdrawal of cassette 31
from the docked relation is impaired. Damage to cassette 31, tape
90 or the recorder/reader mechanism can even occur when this
happens. With the present invention, though, latch member 80
assists in returning leader block 92 to the fastened state, shown
in FIG. 10(c). To this end, it may be seen that head 84 forms a
guide ramp 86 that helps guide leader block 92 therealong. As
leader block 92 moves toward the fastened state, it pivots around
nose 85, shown in phantom in FIG. 10(c) (see also FIG. 4), so that
leader block 92 pivots into cassette 31. Since blade 82 is formed
of a resilient fiber-filled plastic material, latch member 80 may
pivot in the direction of arrow "D". This resiliency provides a
restoring force assisting threading arm 100 in overcoming the force
of prong 96 so that leader block 92 becomes engaged thereby.
The overall operation of the data retrieval system 10 and cassette
library system 16 or carousel 20 according to the present invention
may now be more fully appreciated with reference to FIG. 11 which
is a diagrammatic view of this structure and a microprocessor
controller 110. As is shown in FIG. 11, controller 110 operates to
generate a controlling signal that is supplied to motor 124 that
operates to rotate shaft 126 and therefore turntable 22. Rotational
position is determined, in any convenient manner, such as by a
sensor 112 and a shaft encoder 114 which communicates back to
controller 110 so that controller 110 monitors the rotational
position of turntable 22 and thus the consecutive registration of
cassette holders 30 with docking station 34. When a desired
cassette holder 30 is in a registered state, controller 110 stops
motor 124 and sends a signal to actuator 60 which causes plunger
arm 164 to be advanced against the registered cassette holder 30,
as described above.
Actuator 60 is provided with suitable sensors, as is known in the
art, that communicate back to controller 110 to signal controller
110 as to whether actuator 60 is in the advanced or retracted
position. The registered one of cassette holders 30 is therefore
moved into docking station 34 at which time controller 110 signals
recorder/reader 18 to activate threading arm 100 to thread tape 90
around tape support 104, as is known in the art. Thereafter,
cooperating motors, including motor 106, drive tape 90 for
advancement past transducer 108. This motor drive is of a suitable
type known in the art. As tape 9C moves past the transducer 108,
retrieved data is in the form of a signal at 120 that is either
presented to controller 110 but ultimately to a computer system or
other processor for processing the data that has been stored on
magnetic tape 90. Upon completion of the data reading operation,
the tape rewinds and is demounted by the retraction of plunger arm
164, and the process may be repeated. Here, also, it may be
appreciated that an operator may replace a selected cassette during
the interval that another cassette is mounted on recorder/reader
18.
An alternative embodiment of the actuator is shown in FIGS. 12(a),
12(b) and 13. As is shown in these figures, actuator 560 is mounted
on base plate 12 by channel piece 630 so as to be positioned
generally in a central region of carousel 520. Carousel 520
includes an annular turntable 522 that is the same as described
above with respect to turntable 22. Actuator 560 includes a
mounting block 562 which is pivotally received on pin 540 that
extends between. sidewalls 534 of channel piece 630 in a manner
identical to that described above. Actuator 560 is operative to
move a pair of opposite cassette holders 530 so that one of the
cassette holders moves into the extended position so that its
associated cassette 531 will be in a docked state whereas the other
cassette holder 530 is moved into the intermediate load/unload
position.
It should be understood that actuator 560 is able to accomplish
this movement simultaneously so that, while one cassette is being
accessed by the recorder/reader 18, the opposite cassette may be
removed from carousel 520 and be replaced with a new cassette to be
read. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 12(a), each of cassette holders 530
are shown in a retracted position with the associated cassettes 531
being stored. Actuator 560 includes a pair of plunger arms 564, 565
respectively received through passageways 570, 571. A gear 582 is
disposed on shaft 577 of motor drive 576 and engages facing rack
teeth on each of plunger arms 564, 565. Reversible activation of
motor drive 576 causes plunger arms 564, 565 to reciprocate in
opposite directions between first and second withdrawn positions,
shown in FIG. 12(a), to first and second advanced positions, shown
in FIG. 12(b).
Plunger arm 564 rotatably receives a roller assembly 568 at one end
thereof so that, as is shown in FIG. 12(b), when it is moved to the
first advanced state, it contacts a cassette holder 530' to move
cassette holder 530' from the retracted position to the extended
position. Simultaneously, activation of motor drive 576 moves
plunger arm 565 to the second advanced position so that its
associated roller assembly 569 contacts cassette holder 530" to
move it into an intermediate load/unload position so that cassette
531" may be loaded or unloaded from carousel 520. Opposite movement
of motor drive 576 moves each of plunger arms 564, 565 back to the
withdrawn position shown in FIG. 12(a) so that carousel 520 may be
rotatably driven to register different ones of cassettes 531 with
the docking station.
A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 14-18. In this second exemplary embodiment, data retrieval
system 210 includes a support frame having a base plate 212, a
plurality of upright posts 214 and a mounting plate 216. The
support-frame supports a recorder/reader 218 and a cassette library
system includes a carousel 220 having a turntable 222 that is
journaled for rotation about a turntable axis "X". A rotary drive
in the form of motor 224 has a keyed shaft 226 which extends
through base plate 212 and which is fastened to turntable 222.
Shaft 226 is rotatably received by bearings 228 mounted in base
plate 212. Motor 224 is therefore operative to rotate turntable 222
about axis
A plurality of cassette holders 230 are equiangularly disposed
about the periphery 223 of turntable 222 with each cassette holder
230 being similar to cassette holders 30. Moreover, each cassette
holder 230 is pivotally mounted to turntable 222 in a manner
similar to that described above. In FIG. 18, it may be seen that
turntable 222 is provided with a plurality of cut-out regions 238
to reduce the weight thereof.
Recorder/reader 218 includes a docking station 234. Here again,
when cassette holder 230 is registered with docking station 234,
pivoting of the cassette holder 230 moves a respective cassette 213
into a docked position in the docking station 234. Likewise, when
the cassette holder 230 is moved into the retracted position, the
corresponding cassette 231 moves into a stored state.
With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, it may be again seen that
movement of the cassette holder 230 and its corresponding cassette
231, when in the registered orientation, is accomplished by means
of an actuator 260 that is supported by mounting block 262 secured
to mounting plate 216 so that it is located centrally of the set of
cassette holders 230 when they are in the stored position. Actuator
260 may be structured similarly to actuator 260, but here has only
a single roller assembly 266 secured at one end thereof. Actuator
260 is movable between the advanced position shown in FIG. 15 and a
withdrawn position shown in FIG. 16.
An advantage of the system shown with respect to the second
exemplary embodiment is in the direct mechanical connection of
turntable 222 to keyed shaft 226 of motor 224 by means of keyway
225 (see FIG. 18). This interconnection eliminates the belt drive
as well as guide wheels 24 and 26. Due to the directive drive,
however, it is necessary that actuator 260 be depended centrally of
carousel 220 without the connection to base plate 212.
With reference again to FIGS. 1-3 and 14-16, it may be seen that,
in the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, the cassette holder 30 is in a first plane "P" when in
the docked position. Turntable 22 is in a turntable plane "T" that
is substantially parallel to plane "P". However, with respect to a
third embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the turntable plane is
substantially perpendicular to this first plane.
With reference, then, to FIGS. 19 and 20, it may be seen that a
third embodiment of a data retrieval system 310 includes a support
frame 312 that supports a recorder/reader apparatus 318.
Recorder/reader apparatus 318 has a docking station 334 to receive
a cassette having data stored on a recording medium with the
cassettes shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 being the same as those shown in
FIGS. 118. Here, however, a cassette library apparatus 320 is
provided and includes a turntable 322 which is oriented in a
turntable plane "T'" that is substantially perpendicular to plane
"P" that is the first plane or docking plane corresponding to the
docked position of a cassette holder 330 shown in FIG. 19 in the
docked position.
Turntable 322 includes a plurality of cassette holders 330 disposed
at equiangular positions around the periphery thereof which each of
cassette holders 330 receiving a cassette 331 therein. The
structure of cassette holders 330 are identical to that of cassette
holders 30, described above. Here, however, each cassette holder is
oriented in the turntable plane "T'" instead of being oriented
upright in relation thereto. Thus, each cassette holder 330 is
mounted to the edge 325 of turntable 322.
Motor 324 is provided to selectively rotate turntable 322 and motor
324 is mounted to framework 312. An actuator 360 is supported by
framework 312 and is oriented so that each cassette holder 330 is
positioned between actuator 360 and docking station 334 when it is
in a registered position. Actuator 360 includes a plunger arm 364
which may be reciprocally driven between an advanced position and a
retracted position as described above with respect to actuator 60.
Thus, as is shown in FIG. 19, a registered cassette holder 330 may
be pivoted into a docked relation with respect to recorder/reader
318 when plunger arm 364 and its associated roller assembly 366 is
advanced thereagainst.
FIGS. 21 and 22 show the essential features of an expanded version
of the present invention wherein a cassette library system includes
an actuator 460 of the type described above with respect to either
the first or secondary exemplary embodiments. Here, however,
actuator 460 is mounted on rotatable threaded rods 480 which may be
suitably driven so that actuator 460 can be selectively moved
upwardly and downwardly with respect to a framework 412, as is
shown in FIG. 21. Framework 412 also supports a turret 450 which
may be rotatably driven by a motor 452 so as to advance a selected
one of turntables 422 into registration with a recorder/reader 418.
Thereafter, as is shown in both FIGS. 21 and 22, the registered
turntable 422 may be rotated by means of its associated motor 424
to register a selected cassette holder 430 with docking station
434. While this takes place, actuator 460 is moved downwardly so
that, upon activation, its roller assembly 466 will attack a
selected registered cassette holder 430 to move it into the docked
position. A different set of cassette holders, as represented by
the different turntables 422, may be accessed by withdrawing
plunger 460 from the interior of the respective cassette holders
and then rotating turret 450 to a new orientation for a different
turntable. The construction of each of turntables 422 and their
associated cassette holders, however, is identical to that
described with respect to the first exemplary embodiment.
The present invention also includes a method of mounting, reading
and demounting cassettes relative to the docking station of the
media changer such that the recording medium in each of the
cassettes may be selectively accessed by a recorder/reader. The
method according to this invention, then, encompasses those
processing steps that are accomplished by the above described
embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention.
Broadly, the method according to the present invention includes a
first step of placing each of a plurality of cassettes in an
individual cassette holder therefor. Next, the cassette holders are
advanced along a pathway so that the cassette holders and the
cassettes therein are sequentially registered with the docking
station. The method includes the step of pivoting a registered one
of the cassette holders into an extended position thereby to move
the cassette received therein into the docking station and into a
docked state with respect to the recorder/reader. The method
includes the step of reading the cassette in the registered one of
the cassette holders when the cassette is in the docked state. The
method then includes the step of pivoting the registered one of the
cassette holders into a retracted position thereby to demount the
cassette received therein from the recorder/reader so that the
cassette moves into a stored state.
The method according to the present invention may also include
other processing steps. Preferably, the cassette holders are
advanced in a closed loop pathway, and it is preferred that this
pathway be a circular pathway such as the carousel described above.
The step of pivoting the registered one of the cassette holders is
preferably accomplished by pivoting the registered one of the
cassette holders through an arc angle of about 90.degree. from a
position orthogonal to the plane of the docking station and into
the plane of the docking station. The method may also include the
step of simultaneously pivoting another one of the cassette holders
to an intermediate load/unload position when the registered one of
the cassette holders is pivoted into the extended position.
Further, the method may include the step of replacing the cassette
in another one of said cassette holders during a time interval when
the cassette in the registered one of the cassette holders is being
read.
Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some
degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of
the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the
present invention is defined by the following claims construed in
light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made
to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without
departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
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